Facilitation Methods

Breakthroughs don’t always require big workshops. Often, simple and effective methods can lead to substantial progress, even during daily meetings or regular check-ins.

WHY HOW WHAT

Explain first why and for what purpose, then how it can be achieved, and finally, what specifically needs to be done. Toolbox: Golden Circle.

Cascade

From individuals to the group. First reflect alone, then in pairs, then in small groups, and finally with everyone in the plenary.

ABC

ABC is a brainstorming method where ideas are noted for each letter of the alphabet.

Scaling Questions

Scaling questions help capture complex topics and emotions. On a scale of 0 to 10, how likely are you to use scaling questions? Toolbox: Scaling Questions.

Mad-Sad-Glad

Mad-Sad-Glad collects thoughts and statements on these questions: What drives me crazy here sometimes? What do I find disappointing? What makes me happy? Toolbox: Facilitation model – stages of facilitation.

Walt Disney Method

The Walt Disney Method is a creative problem-solving technique based on three roles: the Dreamer, the Realist, and the Critic. These roles help teams generate ideas, assess feasibility, and identify potential weaknesses to develop well-rounded solutions.

I Like-I Wish

I Like-I Wish is a quick team survey: What do I like about our collaboration? What do I wish for? Toolbox: Facilitation model – stages of facilitation.

Reverse Brainstorming

A paradoxical method that starts with the question: What are our best ideas to ensure failure? Toolbox: Facilitation model – stages of facilitation.

Fly & Bee

Simply switch focus. The bee flies to flowers and where things are blooming. The fly flies to… where things stink. Toolbox: Fly & Bee.

Dot Voting

Voting procedures in groups can quickly lead to winner-loser dynamics. In dot voting, everyone gets several points to distribute across different options, creating a nuanced picture instead of black-and-white thinking.

Coin Toss

Can’t make a decision but need to move forward? A coin toss can help. Either the method provides clarity or it brings new arguments into play.

Rose-Bud-Thorn

The team collects: What is already flourishing? (Rose) What is promising? (Bud) Where are the sticking points? (Thorn). Toolbox: Facilitation model – stages of facilitation.

LSP

Think with your hands. Understand topics. In Lego-Serious-Play, we model challenges and solutions using Lego. Here you can find the complete method wonderfully explained.

Horse Race

Which topic has priority? Each team member can move three topics forward one space (or one topic forward three spaces). The topic with the highest priority wins. Toolbox: Facilitation model – stages of facilitation.

Start-Stop-Continue

The team collects: What should we start doing now to achieve the goal? (Start) What should we stop doing to achieve the goal? (Stop) What should we continue doing to achieve the goal? (Continue) Sometimes the method is supplemented with “more/less”: What should we do more of? What should we do less of? Toolbox: Facilitation model – stages of facilitation. Do you want to develop your team into a high-performance team in the long term? Then take a look at the Five Dysfunctions of a Team. Toolbox: The Five Dysfunctions of a Team.